MOGADISHU, Somalia — Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre met Saturday with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Justin Davis to deepen cooperation on Somalia’s security campaign and navigate a fraught political calendar, as the federal government presses constitutional changes and debates the framework for the 2026 elections.
The meeting at Mogadishu’s Halane base camp covered the government’s military offensive against al-Shabaab and ISIS, along with efforts to stabilize newly recovered areas, according to a readout from the prime minister’s office. The statement said the talks emphasized “strengthening ties between the two countries amid ongoing security and humanitarian challenges.”
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Officials also reviewed U.S. support for Somali security forces and coordination on relief deliveries to communities still reeling from years of drought. Washington remains Somalia’s most significant partner in military training and humanitarian assistance, a role Somali officials credit with helping sustain the country’s multi-front push against insurgents while shoring up basic services in liberated districts.
The timing underscores the political sensitivity surrounding Mogadishu’s state-building agenda. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration has proposed significant constitutional changes that have ignited intense debate among political stakeholders. Parallel talks over the 2026 election format remain a point of contention between the federal government and several regional states, reflecting broader questions over power-sharing, representation and the pace of reform.
In its engagements with Somali leaders, the United States has consistently called for political inclusivity and consensus-building as central pillars of the country’s transition, while maintaining a firm commitment to counterterrorism cooperation. Saturday’s discussions continued that dual-track approach: sustaining battlefield pressure on extremist groups while urging Somali leaders to forge agreement on electoral rules and the broader constitutional roadmap.
Somali officials say stabilization of newly secured towns is essential to prevent militant resurgence and to translate military gains into durable governance. That includes standing up local administrations, re-opening supply routes and extending public services — all dependent on security forces, community buy-in and reliable funding. Humanitarian needs remain acute in many liberated areas, compounding the urgency for synchronized security and relief operations.
While neither side disclosed new commitments, the session appeared aimed at tightening coordination during a delicate phase for the Horn of Africa nation — one in which security gains and political consensus must advance together for momentum to hold. Any drift on either front risks stalling progress and deepening friction between federal and regional actors, analysts and diplomats warn.
Saturday’s meeting is the latest in a series of high-level contacts that Somali officials characterize as essential to consolidating recent advances. It also reflects a familiar rhythm in Somalia’s partnerships: intensive security cooperation paired with diplomatic pressure to broaden political inclusion and clarify the rules that will shape the next national vote.
At a glance:
- Security: Review of the offensive against al-Shabaab and ISIS and plans to stabilize newly recovered territories.
- Humanitarian response: Coordination on aid for drought-affected communities and support to services in liberated areas.
- Politics: Discussions on proposed constitutional changes and the contested framework for the 2026 elections.
- U.S. stance: Continued backing for Somali security forces and a call for inclusive, consensus-driven state-building.
No timeline or additional details were immediately released. Both sides framed the talks as part of a broader effort to align security, governance and humanitarian priorities ahead of the next electoral cycle.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
